Service history: arrived at Bangkok in crates on 15 February 62, to be operated under the Madriver Contract AF62(531)-1674, based at Vientiane, but maintained at Udorn (Minutes ExCom-AACL of 23 January 62, in: UTD/CIA/B7F1); assembled by Thai Airways according to contract no. BKK 62-001 (Memorandum dated 9 February 62, in: UTD/Fink/B2F16); officially received at Bangkok on 1 March 62 (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept.1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1).

Fate: was to be returned to the US Army in October 62 (Minutes ExCom-AACL of 30 October 62, in: UTD/CIA/B7F1); returned on 21 April 63 (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept.1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); sold to R. N. Nelson Earth Movers as N5220G in March 92; sold to Kenmore Air Harbor Inc, Kenmore, WA, in 92; sold to San Francisco Seaplane Tours, Mill Valley, CA, on 13 July 94; current in March 2004 (request submitted to the FAA on 13 March 2004 at http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/); current in November 2008 (request submitted to the FAA on 23 Nov. 2008 at http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/).”

So there you have it. Head on up to the Sausalito / Marin City / Mill Valley area and take a ride on a piece of flying history, if you want. $179 and up.

To the extent that I have a beat, Japantown is in it (along with the Western Addition and Golden Gate Park and a few other places.) Consequently, people send me stuff sometimes and sometimes I draw your attention to it.

Next stop, quasi-Japanese Mini-Momijis inside of McDonalds Happy meals? We Can Only Hope.

Anyway, these straight-outta-the-UK cuties will be available at the Kinokuniya Bookstore inside one of those 1960’s-style malls on Post Street in J-Town.

Momiji launch new doll collection at Kinokuniya

Since their inception almost five years ago, Momiji message dolls have gained a cult following worldwide amongst artists, designers and thousands more people worldwide. Momiji fans and collectors will be flocking to Kinokuniya bookstores across the USA this week for the exclusive launch of four brand new additions to the collection.

The four dolls, which form Generation 7 of the Momiji ‘Randoms Collection’, are Giggles, Soul, Happy Happy Happy and Pixie. Each one is packaged in Momiji’s signature noodle box and protected by tiny inflated pillows.

Momiji dolls proved to be an instant hit with Kinokuniya customers. Sharon Cunningham from the Flagship store in New York said,

“Momiji are adorable, our customers love collecting them so we were so excited to have the opportunity to launch these brand new designs to the world.”

As a center for the best in Japanese culture, literature and art, Kinokuniya was the perfect place to unveil Momiji’s new collection. Claire Rowlands, Creative Director for Momiji said,

“We love Kinokuniya, we could spend days exploring their amazing stores. Their commitment to celebrating great Asian art and design means we feel sure that the new dolls will be right at home there.”

Generation 7 can be found at the New York flagship store on Avenue of the Americas, the New York Palisade center store, as well as the San Francisco and Costa Mesa stores.

Momiji will be inviting owners of the new dolls to upload a photo of themselves with their purchase onto the official Momiji HQ Facebook page to be in with a chance of winning a Momiji prize bundle worth $200 as well as an exclusive Kinokuniya tote bag to carry it all in. Full details of the competition are available in store.

The dolls will be exclusive to America in four Kinokuniya stores before they are released to boutiques, galleries and museum stores around the States in July.

Momiji Generation 7 can be found exclusively at the following stores throughout April 2010

New York Main Store
1073 Avenue of the Americas (Bet 40th & 41st St)
New York, NY 10018

ABOUT MOMIJI
Momiji [‘mom-ee-jee’] are hand-painted collectible message dolls. The Momiji story began just over four years ago in the UK. Since then our brand has gained cult status around the globe. Momiji HQ is based in Henley in Arden, a little village famous for its ice cream. From here we have become truly global with designers creating lovely stuff all over the world: UK, Austria, Chile, Thailand, Germany, Canada and Slovenia. Our links with top art colleges mean that we work with the most creative new kids on the block.

ABOUT KINOKUNIYA
Kinokuniya is the most well-known Japanese bookstore chain outside of Japan, with locations in the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Taiwan and Dubai. Its eight US locations, first opening in San Francisco’s famous Japantown in 1969, have become popular hot spots for those interested in both the traditional beauty of Japan and the new funky world of anime and manga. The flagship location in New York City relocated in 2007 to Midtown’s Bryant Park carries a huge selection of Japan and Asia related literature, art, architecture, CDs, DVDs, comics, magazines, apparel, toys and stationery. They have also partnered up with Japanese cafe, Cafe Zaiya, which serves delicious bento style meals and Japanese snacks that you can enjoy from the 2nd floor overlooking the park.

“The opening ceremony went well! Peaceful, calming chanting and praying culminating in a monk blessing everyone by lobbing water droplets on the audience. Emerald Cities is now officially open, the orchid display goes down after Sunday, and on Sunday …we have our Fall Family Festival — daylong festivities for all ages, and families don’t have to pay the Emerald Cities surcharge!”

And if you drop by the AAA in the next few days, you’ll get to see the orchids.